KINDERGARTEN

Holy Nativity’s Kindergarten program aligns to FCIS and FKC standards while incorporating Florida State and National Common Core Standards.

Students are immersed daily in Imagine It Language Arts, Singapore Math, and Handwriting Without Tears. All three curriculums are based on the latest brain research and best practices. We include a strong focus on Social Studies and Science through fieldtrips and in-house experimentation. Collaborative learning is fostered through teacher led small group activities in which all students are expected to participate and engage each other. Great attention is paid to the varied levels of individual learners and differentiated instruction is used to meet the needs of all students. IPads are used for group and individual learning.

This is a rigorous program but the children just see it as fun!

Elementary

The following are the current choices for our elementary curriculum. Our curriculum choices are driven by our mission and based on the most current research about what works to effectively educate children.

Singapore Math (Real name: Primary Math from Singapore)

Singapore Math is fully implemented in Jr. Pre-K through 5th Grade. The deep conceptual understanding will become more and more apparent as math becomes more complex. There are many informative videos available on YouTube to view actual classrooms using this leading international math program.

Singapore Math Sample Subtraction Problems

Singapore Math Sample Multiplication Problems

Math and Science Manipulatives

Many, many manipulatives are used with Singapore math lessons. All concepts are initially introduced at the concrete stage of development. Materials, such as those for measurement, are also useful for science.

Rocket Math

Adopted in 2012-2013, to supplement Singapore Math, Rocket Math is a daily 10 to 15 minute approach to teaching and reinforcing math facts fluency—addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. This vital aspect of math is not included in Singapore Math because in Singapore math facts are learned at home and not included in school work. More information is available on the Rocket Math website and there is a great Rocket Map App available that compliments our classroom efforts perfectly.

Science Matrix

Our kindergarten through 5th grade teachers vertically aligned all of their science units, thus insuring that every science topic and all standards are included in our elementary curriculum. HNES did not adopt the “integrated science” curriculum approach being used by the state of Florida (a way of presenting science where a portion of each science topic is taught at each grade level with increasing depth). Our elementary and middle school science is topic specific, so that a subject can be treated in depth when and where the students encounter it. A copy of the science matrix created by the teachers is available for all parents, and the teachers at each grade level welcome parent suggestions and sharing of expertise—in or out of the classroom.

Social Studies Matrix

A coordinated K-5th social studies matrix is now in production and estimated to be completed by the beginning of the school year. This matrix will serve a similar purpose as the science matrix, to guarantee that students are taught all of the standards and topics of the elementary social sciences, plus will help parents know what to expect at each grade level. The talents and interests of our families enrich our classrooms and we hope this matrix will better enable members of the HNES family to share these talents and interests with their children.

Reading curriculum for K-5

For our reading curriculum we selected Journeys by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Journeys is where the reading adventure begins! Developed on a solid foundation of proven instruction and easy-to-manage organization, this exciting new K–6 reading program includes Adventure Units and Guided Reading with literacy expert Irene Fountas.

"Units of Study in Opinion, Information, and Narrative Writing” by Lucy Calkins and colleagues from Teachers College, Columbia University will be implemented in 2013-2014. Lucy Calkins is a national star in writing instruction and a professor at Columbia’s Teachers College. We are very excited to add this program and establish a completely coordinated K-5 elementary writing curriculum. Students will then move seamlessly into our pre-AP writing in our middle school.

K-5 Sample of Projects and Field Trips

Kindergarten:

Valentine Day Sock Hop

Mother Goose Parade

Career studies and Career Day Parade

Fire Station visit

Picking berries at the Strawberry Farm

Halloween Costume Parade

1st grade:

Famous Americans research and paper

Famous American Parade

PJ’s and Polar Express

Animal reports

Visit to the Zoo

2nd grade:

Visit the Science and Discovery Center

3rd grade:

State Research and Reports-entire school invited

Penguin Study and Projects

Tour Florida Caverns, Marianna, FL

Visit the Mayor’s office and the commission meeting room

4th grade:

Space Bubble—entire school invited

Rainforest study and mural

Novel studies

Visit to Tallahassee, state capitol

Three day fieldtrip: St. Augustine

5th grade:

Native American Tribe Research and Projects—entire school invited

Novel studies

Shadowing, Middle School

Beta Club Social

Four day fieldtrip: Boston

Contact Holy Nativity

Holy Nativity Episcopal School admits students of any religion, race, creed, national or ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Holy Nativity Episcopal School does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, creed, gender, national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, financial aid programs, or athletic and other school-administered programs.